Louisiana residents sat on their haunches as they earned themselves a spot near the bottom of the federal government’s list of physically fit states.
In its study, the U.S. Center for Disease Control asked adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to describe a typical week’s physical activities. The center’s standards for a healthy lifestyle were set at 30 minutes or more physical activity most days of the week or 20 minutes or more intense physical activity more than three days a week.
The study stated only 35 percent of Louisiana adults lived up to standards for weekly physical activity, compared to the national average of 44 percent. Kentucky, with 29 percent, and Nebraska, with 34 percent were the only states ranked lower than Louisiana.
Washington and Wyoming sat at the top of the list with 56 percent of adults meeting the standards.
Many University students and state officials agreed the center’s findings were accurate.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Shane Srsen, a psychology freshman.
Srsen thought Louisiana’s lack of fitness was not only the result of physical inactivity but also because of what people consume.
“There are a lot of bad habits,” he said. “Alcohol is a big part of Louisiana, and look at how many people smoke.”
Kelly Huster, a photography senior, also related Louisiana’s poor ranking with the state’s culture.
“It’s because we have such a slow lifestyle and fattening foods,” Huster said. “No one exercises.”
Huster said one reason she thinks people don’t exercise is because of the heat and humidity.
Rudy Macklin, executive director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, was unsurprised by the survey’s results.
“It’s very accurate,” he said. “It’s a shame, but I’ve got to tell the truth.”
Macklin said many Louisiana residents have gotten into a “sedentary lifestyle,” which is why they do not not get enough physical activity.
“There are a lot of reasons: their jobs, children and limited time keep them from being physically active and eating right,” Macklin said.
Students thought results would have been different if the survey had focused on only college students, however.
“I think a college campus would turn out better than average,” Srsen said. “Because we’ve got the Rec Center and walk back and forth and up stairs.”
Arthur Goulas, director of the University Student Health Center, said the University has a distinct health and fitness culture in comparison to the general population.
“LSU is its own culture,” he said. “If you don’t believe that, just go look at Rec Sports at 5:30 in the morning.”
Macklin agreed with Srsen, and encouraged University students to continue being physically active.
“You’ve got to take care of you,” Macklin said. “The same way you’re working out now to impress your future husband or wife should be the way you work out after college.”